Using a Receiver as a Pre-Amp

[JimPullan]

With the big guns, like Lexicon, Mark Levinson, McIntosh, Krell, and all the other high end Pre-Amp/Amp manufacturers holding off on putting the Advanced Audio Codec decoders in their equipment, would investing into a Receiver, such as the Pioneer Elite, the Sony ES, the Integra, or the Denon that has 'all' the audio codec's in them, using one of them as a pre-amp processor and amplifying using my outboard amps make sense or should I wait? I already have 5 - 250W channel mono-block amplifiers, powering my Revel F-52's, M-22's, C-52. My Paradigm servo-15 has its own amp. I presently have a B&K Reference 50 Pre-Amp that 'is not' upgradeable for the advanced audio codec's.

Jim

[RUR]

You might consider the Integra DRC-9.8 pre/pro separate and avoid receivers as pre's altogether.
http://integrahometheater.com/model....=Separates&p=f

[JimPullan]

Thanks for the recommendation. I have the Panasonic DMP-BD30 Blu-ray player that will send everything bitstream out to that Pre-Amp. Cool !!! [Jim]

Originally Posted by RUR

You might consider the Integra DRC-9.8 pre/pro separate and avoid receivers as pre's altogether.
http://integrahometheater.com/model....=Separates&p=f

[Blindamood]

Another option (the one that I currently use with my Rotel separates) is to use a switcher, and let your players do the audio processing. I got the Zektor MAS7.1, which switches HDMI (1.3) and up to 3 multi-channel analog audio players. I have both my Sony BDP-S1 and my Onkyo DV-SP1000 (for DVD-Audio and SACD) switched to my Rotel's multi-channel inputs. Sure, there are more wires involved, but it allows me to continue using my existing players, and to enjoy the Rotel sound quality that I'm used to.

[The Guardian]

Problem with that is you don't get DTS-HD MA.

[Blindamood]

True...until a player comes out that decodes DTS-MA internally and sends out over multi-channel analog.

[Woody]

I am POSITIVE more pre-amps will be annoounced at CES in a couple weeks.

[JimPullan]

Well, that didn't happen !!! I would expect since the HD Format war is coming to an end, the big gun product will introduce the advanced audio and video feature sets into their product, most likely showcasing at CEDIA 2008 in September. That's my estimate. [Jim]

Originally Posted by Woody

I am POSITIVE more pre-amps will be annoounced at CES in a couple weeks.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by RUR

You might consider the Integra DRC-9.8 pre/pro separate and avoid receivers as pre's altogether.
http://integrahometheater.com/model....=Separates&p=f

The Onkyo version is also available:

http://www.onkyopro.com/model.cfm?m=...eamplifier&p=i

Denon has a pre/pro setup as well, but I'm not sure if it's sold as a package with their amp. These are about the only options I've seen. If you can't wait and want to pick something up now just to tide you over, I'd do what you suggested and just pick up a cheaper receiver with pre-outs and has all the codecs rather than spend the $2k and up for one of the above options - the idea being a receiver should be eaiser to sell later and you could apply the cash toward something from the big guns when they get into the game. But personally, I'd hold off and wait for something from the big guns.

[Sylin]

Yet again demonstrating my ignorance here, but what is the difference between a pre-amp and a receiver? Why would it be necessary?

[HDJK]

A preamp doesn't have any amplifiers, so if you have active monitors (like I do) or separate amps (like Mr Pullan) you're paying for something that you don't need if you get a receiver.

[CAB]

Originally Posted by ikcizokm

Yet again demonstrating my ignorance here, but what is the difference between a pre-amp and a receiver? Why would it be necessary?

In simple terms, like the receiver you have now but no amp component. It processes input signals and outputs analog. Crossovers and amps are external.

Edit: Your receiver probably has analog pre-amp outputs in either 2 or 5.1 or 7.1 varieties. The only pre-amp output I use on my Pioneer is the .1 for my powered sub.

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by ikcizokm

Yet again demonstrating my ignorance here, but what is the difference between a pre-amp and a receiver? Why would it be necessary?

Essentially with a pre/pro setup you'll get MUCH cleaner sound because the amp has A) it's own power supply and B) minimal electronic interference to the amp because all the circuitry is in the pre/pro. A receiver has the pre/pro and amps in one box and all share the power supply, and because of the above the reverse is true that a receiver will generally not be able to compete with separates in overall sound quality, especially at higher volume levels when an amplifier is hungry for power. Add lower impedence and inefficient speakers into the mix and a separate power supply literally becomes a requirement for an amp.

Also note that a preamp (preamplifier) in the audiophile community more refers to a 2 CH setup for music where the preamp unit does not have surround processing and only provides volume control, tone/eq, source switching, etc. for your components and passes the signal to the amplifer for, well, amplification. A pre/pro (preamplifier/processor) is a preamplifier and surround processor, and generally also has a tuner.

[HDJK]

Personally I'm waiting for a good used deal on this. It might be a couple of years before that happens though.

But if my prayers get answered Denon will release a Blu-ray player that also plays SACD and DVDA that is region free on all counts. Then I could go for this. Since there is no HDMI video switching for this it's not an option yet.

Otherwise that would be the perfect match for watching movies and mixing music in surround

So in any case I have to wait. Patience is a virtue they say. Me, I don't like waiting that much...